Linda Page, author of the book Detoxification, explains why there is a need to help your body detoxify itself: "The environmental toxins of modern-day life that we're exposed to—the pollutants, chemicals, other synthetic substances—are more than the average body can handle. The body doesn't know what to do with foreign substances, so it will store them outside of the regular elimination system, so we don't get poisoned. Those poisons start building up in our body fat."

Her weekend detox program involves drinking fruit juice—a whole lot of juice and little else—which, according to her, pushes these toxins out of your system.

In the past few years there has been much attention focused on the potential for a bird flu or swine flu pandemic that it's easy to lose sight of the perils of the regular flu season. The flu is more common than many people realize. In the United States, the flu season may begin as early as October and last until May, peaking between December and March.

The overall impact varies from year to year, but the CDC reports that 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu every year with more than 200,000 hospitalized for flu complications. Even more alarming is that approximately 36,000 people die each year from the flu (see www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm).

Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, which is the part of the uterus that opens to the vagina. It has become rare in the United States in recent years because most women get Pap tests that detect it before it starts or find it early enough to treat it easily.

IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR PAP TESTS A Pap test, which is conducted during a pelvic exam, helps doctors identify early changes in the cervix that might lead to cancer.

Some researchers are predicting that UV-related eye disorders will increase over the next decade due to thinning of the ozone layer and an increased interest in outdoor activities among Americans. These eye problems include macular degeneration, cataracts, pterygium (a growth on the white of the eye that can eventually block vision), skin cancer around the eyelids and photokeratitis (corneal sunburn).

"We can't stress enough how important it is to protect your eyes every day from the sun," says Daniel D. Garrett, senior vice president of Prevent Blindness America on their Web site. "Even when the weather is overcast, the sun still emits intense, harmful rays."

Don’t let this summertime nuisance run you and your family indoors. Get all the facts on West Nile Virus.

It's that time of year again for picnics, camping trips, water sports—and mosquitoes. Although the summer months used to evoke excitement among many people, today they seem to evoke fear. Rather than anticipating fun-filled activities with family and friends, many people dread mosquito dodging.

The media has done an effective job of alarming people of the dangers of bug-borne diseases. But the Bible tells us: "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Tim 1:7, NKJV). Therefore, fear no mosquitoes! Instead, try arming yourself with knowledge.

Even with medications that are legally prescribed and dispensed, the potential for addiction is high.

When we consider the subject of drug abuse and addiction, stereotypes abound. Many of us, upon hearing the term “drug addict,” envision a young to middle-aged unemployed male who has a tendency toward criminal behavior and possibly a history of incarceration. Our mental image would include strained or estranged family relationships, more than likely a deadbeat dad who's irresponsible, untrustworthy and always in need of a loan. His church attendance might be only on Mother's Day and Easter-and even then only after a fair degree of coercion or a guilt-laden plea. He is certainly not a believer.

What we are not likely to envision is the doting grandmother who attends church regularly and organizes the Bible study for seniors. She's the one who always has a pleasant smile and encouraging words, whose “thorn in the flesh” is a bad case of arthritis with a little insomnia. Addicted to drugs? Abusing drugs? God forbid!

Becoming knowledgeable about this disease will help you ward off its most damaging effects.

A FEW MONTHS AGO, one of the nurses in my office announced she was participating in a walking marathon. She was garnering support from the physicians and staff members asking that we make a pledge in her name.

She shared with me her apprehension about the event. The date was fast approaching and, since she wasn't a regular walker, she was quite concerned about whether she'd be physically fit enough to meet the challenge. This event, the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk, held special meaning for her, and she was determined to participate, no matter what.

Joseph Christiano, N.D., C.N.C., puts a new twist on the oft-repeated phrase "You are what you eat." He says that to be healthy we have to eat what we are! Meaning? "Each of us should eat a diet that is compatible with our blood type," Christiano says, because "each blood type has different characteristics that allow it to eat, digest and assimilate food best for that group." People with Type O blood, for example, can metabolize almost anything, but those with Types A, B and AB must be more careful in choosing what kinds of food they eat. Christiano's book Blood Types, Body Types and You (Siloam) lists the foods that are best for each type and tells how to fix them to maximize health. Find out your blood type, and you're on the way to a better you!

EVEN IF YOU'RE GENETICALLY PREDISPOSED TO THIS DISEASE, THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT IT FROM DEVELOPING.

When the prophet Hosea declared on God's behalf, "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge" (Hos. 4:6, NIV), he was indicting the priests for their failure to teach the people the Word of God. However, this principle is applicable to other aspects of our lives as well, including our health.

Ignorance in health matters, combined with the failure to implement knowledge once it is acquired, places many people on a certain path to destruction. Among them are the large and ever-growing number of Americans affected by diabetes.